I just replaced my upper ball joints on my 97 eclipse GS and I couldn't find an article on how to do it. Its fairly easy with a lift, but it's very possible to do with jack stands. These are the tools I used (I'm a mechanic so I use alot of air tools): 3/8 impact, 1/2 impact, 14mm wrench, 14mm ratcheting wrench, 17mm ratcheting wrench, 17mm 3/8 socket, 17mm 1/2 socket,1/2 torque wrench,30mm 3/4 socket, 36mm 3/4 socket,snap ring pliers, flat head screwdriver, hammer, 21mm socket,paint stick,WD-40,tall jack stand, and a press.

If you have all of these tools it should be pretty easy for a mechaniclly inclined person to do. I'll just go step by step.

1. Take off the wheels and spray some WD-40 on the ball joint threads and the two control arm nuts.

2. Take the nuts off of the contol arm, leaving the bolt there.

3. Take the nut off of the ball joint. Use a hammer and hit the knuckle, not the control arm, to break the ball joint loose.

4. Slide the bolts off of the back of the control arm and remove the control arm. You might have to depress the spring to remove the back control arm bolts, because on my car the spring was in the way. If you have a lift you can use the tall jack stand, if your on the ground you can use a jack. Just leave the jack or tall jack stand there because your probably going to need it to put it back together.

5. Remove the boot and metal sleeve its connected to. You should be able to see a snap ring.

6. Remove the snap ring with the snap ring pliers and a flat head screwdriver.(Its kind of a bitch to get off.)

7. Clean off the grease and mark the ball joint and the knuckle with the paint stick.

8. Before you press off the ball joint, make a mental picture of how its in the arm. Get your 30mm socket and a press and shove that thing off.

9. I got my new ball joints from NAPA (PN 260-1511) because I couldn't find them on www.mitsubishioemparts.com. I used a hammer, 30mm socket, and a bench vise to put in the new ball joint. Line up the new ball joint in the control arm and tap it in a little so it doesn't move. Open the jaws of the vise enough to get the ball joint in between them. Use the 30mm socket on top of the ball joint to hammer it in. I tried to press it in but it didn't go in as straight as I wanted.

10. Put a little grease in the boot before you put it on the ball joint. I used a 36mm socket to hammer on the boot on the boot's metal sleeve. (That sounds wierd but you'll understand).

11. Put the control arm in place on the car and put the back bolt in and finger tighten the nuts. Put the nut on the ball joint and torque to 20 ft/lbs. Tighten the nut on the back of the control arm nice and tight (couldn't find a torque spec for those).

12. Put your wheels on and have fun with your safe vehicle.

I would replace these in pairs because they are put throught the same stuff and if one goes out the other one isn't far behind.


Next write up: Replacing the lateral control arm.
Until then, peace. Jon

"Treat a human being like a human being, you'll be suprised what happens".

Hey, nice work! Throw this up on the Wiki.

Thanks a ton sir.

Jason|1997 Eclipse RS

I contributed to the wiki!

happy p'ple

I would if I knew how. I don't have a computer and I have two jobs so all I have time for is pool, and cars. Oh yeah, bump. I said I would bump this for someone.

If anyone wants to put this on the wiki, I'm sure it would help alot of people.

"Treat a human being like a human being, you'll be suprised what happens".